Summa is a global leader in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of digital cutting equipment and its operating software, with applications in the signage, display, apparel and packaging industry.

Objective

Partnership with the founder and management to become a global market leader in equipment and operating software across all digital cutting technologies (i.e., flatbed, laser and roll cutters), leveraging Summa’s high-quality reputation, innovative DNA and global reach. Growth is driven by investments in the commercial team, expansion of distribution channels in new regions, new product development, investments in a new experience center and further commercializing its software offering. Acquisitions are selectively pursued to accelerate growth and strengthen presence in attractive segments, regions or end-markets.

ENTRY
Sep 2021
TREND

Increasing Global Digitization; Increasing Market Cycle Risk

COUNTRY

Belgium

SECTOR

Niche Industrials

The Team

Pieter Lambrecht - Apheon Team
Pieter Lambrecht
Partner | 
Belgium, Netherlands
View
Jori De Baerdemaeker - Apheon Team
Jori De Baerdemaeker
Principal | 
Belgium
View
Herbert Vanden Eynde - Apheon Team
Herbert Vanden Eynde
Director | 
Belgium
View

Related News

Our manifesto: contributing to the development of sustainable finance

Sustainability generates long-term and higher value

Apheon’s ambition is to contribute to the development of sustainable finance by placing sustainability at the core of its strategy and demonstrating by example that it delivers higher and better value for portfolio companies and investors.
 
We are convinced that businesses that respect the planet, that look after their employees and that support their communities will in turn attract the best talent, differentiate themselves from their competition and ultimately emerge as the strongest in the future.

A holistic and collective approach

To succeed with this strategy, Apheon believes a holistic and collective approach is fundamental.

Holistic: it is essential that all aspects of ESG are equally and continuously supported. This is why we are active at every stage of the investment cycle by applying proprietarily developed methodologies and initiatives which are built on 5 priorities covering the broad ESG spectrum:

  • Sustainable revenues (strategy): increasing, when applicable, the share of revenues which directly benefit the environment and/or society

  • Carbon (environment): reducing emissions

  • Talent (social): creating a positive working environment which will attract, develop and retain the best talent

  • Youth, diversity and inclusion (societal): fostering a more inclusive society

  • Transparency (governance): reporting on metrics transparently, and being transparent on potential obstacles
Collective: we believe that it is only through collective action that we can create significant impact. This is why it is our intention to pull together Apheon’s entire ecosystem to undertake our ESG initiatives. This includes mobilizing our employees, portfolio companies, investors, external experts, charitable organizations, public institutions and peers. At this time of global transition, we believe that sustainable finance plays a key role in advancing towards a sustainable planet and society. Financial players, in particular private equity firms such as Apheon, are in a position to drive forward action by leveraging their business model of transforming companies. Apheon is keen to play such role and to move forward every day with humility but also conviction.